Golf Tips for Beginners (The Tips that Actually Work)

If you’re like most golfers, you’re always looking for more golf tips to improve your game and shoot lower scores. Because let’s get real, golf is just a little more fun when you play better. Sure, it’s always fun to get outside with friends, but there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your hard work on the range pay off on the golf course. There’s nothing like seeing your score after 18 holes and impressing yourself. 

Even if you’re brand new to golf, I’m sure you already know that the game is more challenging than any other sport. You must learn how to hit every shot, regardless of the weather conditions. 

If that wasn’t challenging enough, the mind also plays a monumental role in playing your best golf. If your mind isn’t helping your game, it’s hurting you.  

No pressure right? This article should give you some tips and tricks to help you build a solid foundation.

In this post, I’ll share my 15 best golf tips for beginners so that you can become a better player quickly. I’m confident these methods will help you have more fun and play better golf. These are tried and true methods that I’ve learned from playing this crazy game of golf for more than 20 years. 

15 Best Golf Tips For Beginners 

Golf is such a fun sport but at the same time, it’s also so difficult that some days will make you question if it’s worth it. It doesn’t matter how hard you try, this feeling will never go away. As long as you stay optimistic and have the mentality of “Just keep swinging” you will make the most of this crazy game.

These are the top beginner tips to help get you started and reach the highest levels of the game. 

1.  Use the Right Equipment

One of the best golf tips I’ve learned over the years is to start playing the right equipment. If you’re playing blade iron sets or unforgiving clubs and shooting in the 90s, you are making golf much harder on yourself. 

It is important to think of your equipment in three categories. Golf clubs, shafts, balls. 

Golf Clubs

First, you should consider joining clubs that are specifically for beginners. Play the right clubs for your current ability as they are more lightweight and designed for beginners. This means they’re easier to hit straight and far above all else. 

It is possible that your friends might not like you playing the right club for your game. They might be offended by a set hybrid-like wedges or cavity back wedges. 

What does it matter if your friends give up on you for carrying hybrids, or 7-woods over long irons? Your score is the only thing that matters at the end. 

Shafts

While it is important to play light and forgiving clubs, the shafts of your clubs are just as important. Too many players choose stiffer shafts that reduce distance. 

Make sure your shafts are able to allow you to swing fast and get the most out of each club in your bag. In the beginning stages of their golf journey, most beginners will benefit from graphite (for men), which is a regular flex shaft. You can experiment with different shaft weights and flexes as you improve your swing speed and increase your golf game. 

Use the Right Golf Ball

Your equipment is the last thing you should think about. Golf ball. 

Whether you’re a veteran or beginner golfer, you want to make sure to play the right type of golf ball. For beginners, you will want one that emphasizes distance over spin. 

As you improve and shoot lower scores, you might consider a softer ball to help you spin it with shorter clubs. Different compression rates apply to golf balls. To offset slower swing speeds, newer golfers will need softer balls.

A good golf ball for beginners can also help you save money. As a beginner, you’re bound to lose more golf balls and cheaper balls are usually a better fit for your swing too. 

2. Keep Your Eyes on the Fundamentals

While most players want golf tips to hit it farther and figure out how to hit all kinds of trick shots, don’t forget the fundamentals. The fundamentals are where most of the swing takes place. SetupWell Before you ever hit the golf ball. Because they are aware of one small error at the address that can lead to an off swing, this is why the best golfers in the world are constantly improving their setup.

Double-check these points before you hit your golf ball.

Proper Stance

A solid stance is the first thing you should have. You should ensure that your feet are at shoulder width with your knees bent in an athletic position. I also suggest flaring your lead foot out slightly so it’s easier to clear your hips on the downswing.

For longer clubs such as the driver or fairway woods you should widen your stance. The longer the club, you will need to widen your stance to allow for a full shoulder turn when you swing backwards. 

Good posture

Once you have a solid stance, you can move on to the next Golf tip: Have a good posture. Try to keep your back flat, tilt your hips, bend you knees, and keep the head slightly back at the address. 

This will help you to create a more consistent swing and may even help you avoid injury. 

Find the Right Grip for You

Another important tip in golf is to make sure you grip matches your swing. If you’re brand new to golf, start with a neutral to strong grip.

The biggest mistake many golfers make is having a weak grip. This can lead to a slice that is common among golfers and reduces your overall distance. So if you’re just starting out, opt for a strong grip as it should help you in the long run (because changing your grip takes hard work once you’re an experienced player). 

As your swing develops, you will begin to notice tendencies. You can either weaken or strengthen you grip as needed.

3. Double-check Your Alignment

Alignment with your target is an important aspect of your setup. 

A big mistake that so many players make is that they don’t aim square at the target. This how bad habits get created – for example – if you’re aimed right, your body will realize it and make an effort to pull it back left. Conversely, if you’re aimed left, your mind will make adjustments to get it back to the intended target. 

Because even if you aren’t consciously aware of your alignment, your subconscious mind is fully aware. It adjusts your swing to compensate for poor alignment. This can lead to bad habits that can be difficult to break.

Before you attempt to change your swing aim, be sure to check your aim. Get a friend Make a video of your swing if you’re on the course or use alignment sticks at the driving range. The closer you are to the target, you are more likely to hit a good golf shot.

4. Learn to master your Tempo at the Driving Range

Don’t the PGA Tour players make golf look easy? While I can’t create an article sharing every golf tip from them, I will share one important nugget. 

If you think about it, among all the great players in golf, most of them don’t have much in common. However, one thing they have in common is a Great tempoEven though they may have different swing speeds, they are all the same.

All great players play at a speed of 3:1.

This means that their backswing takes three times as much time as their downswing. If you want to imitate the men you see on TV, your tempo should match theirs. Your tempo should match the 3:1 speed of your swing speed to get full shots, regardless of how fast or sluggish you are.

You will have trouble swinging otherwise Transition, follow-through. For a better life, master your pace early. consistent golf. 

5. Don’t Let Anger Get In The Way

Imagine hitting a really bad shot… maybe you duffed it off the first tee or hit it out of bounds on the 10th hole after a great front nine. 

What are your thoughts on these situations? 

Do you make it personal and get mad at yourself, as if you’re the only golfer to hit an embarrassing shot ever?  Or do you just laugh it off, and keep your eyes on the next shot.

You must understand that mistakes are part of golf if you want to be an amazing golfer. Even the best players can still miss bad shots, and they are paid millions of dollars to do this crazy sport. Justin Thomas, one the most skilled ball strikers in golf, hit a shank during his final round at 2023 PGA Championships, which he won. 

It’s obvious that bad shots will continue to happen no matter how many times you swing the golf club. The key is making sure one bad swing doesn’t lead to more bad swings and a full on meltdown on the course.

Let go Tension. Always remember to have fun when you’re on the course, there are a lot worse places you could be! 

Here’s a quote Tiger Woods shared with Charlie Woods, if you need more motivation to manage your anger while on the golf course. “Son, I don’t care how mad you get. Your head could blow off for all I care, just as long as you’re 100% percent committed to the next shot. The next shot should be the most important in your life. It should be more important than breathing.” 

It’s okay to let out a little steam but just don’t let it affect the next shot. 

6. Make your driver your best friend

If you’re like a lot of beginning golfers, you might have a love-hate relationship with your driver. It has the lowest loft and exposes your weaknesses more than other clubs. While misses can sometimes be frightening, it is worth trying to learn from them. find a consistent swing with your driver.

Even if you don’t hit it straight all the time, don’t worry about it. Focus on distance as a beginner. If you are able to hit it long, you will have shorter clubs that you can hit into the green. These are easier to hit than fairway and hybrid woods. 

Here are some more tips for your driver.

• Increase the loft. If you’re a beginner golfer, make sure it’s set at least 10.5 degrees or more. This will allow you to hit the ball with a full swing, and maximize your distance from the tee.
• Check your shaft. As a beginner, don’t make it harder to hit by playing a stiff shaft. If you are older, you might prefer a regular or senior flexible shaft. This will allow for more movement in your swing.

7. Practice your short game

While your driver should be your best friend, don’t forget to love your wedges and putter as well. To improve your scores, it is easy to do one thing: Practice your shots around the green. Spend some time on chipping green and play different types of flop shots. 

8. Tee It Forward

For beginners, I recommend that you tee it forward. Don’t make the course more difficult by trying to play the tips or one back from them. This will lead to a lot of long approach shots that will slow down your round.

Instead, play forward with your tees or on par-three executive-style courses. As you grow, you can keep changing tees.new golf courses. I’m sure you will have more fun and make the four of you happier. 

9. Get Golf Swing Lessons Early

If you’re a brand-new golfer, you have the advantage of not having formed bad habits over years or decades like a lot of golfers. Hire a swing coach to help you learn the sport. Even just a few lessons on the basics will make you a lot more successful. 

A good swing coach will help get your feet, hips and shoulders aligned with the target. You can then get help with your takeaway and transition as well as your downswing. They can also help with your pitching and chipping skills. Make sure you have the right tools.Starting with the right habits to become a solid golfer from the start.

10. Make a Pre-Shot Schedule

You must be able to play the best golf possible Make a pre-shot routine.

A pre-shot routine can help you stay focused throughout the round and help with consistency on any golf outing. That way when you’re about to break 100, 90, or even 80 for the first time, you don’t sabotage yourself. Yes, it’s possible for the average golfer (and many others) to skip it completely.

The pre-shot routine begins the moment you stop pushing the golf bag and start lasering your target. You will need to practice swings that are similar to the shot you want. This will train your mind to execute the motion of your practice swings when you’re ready to hit the shot.

Pre-shot will help you choose the best club, select a target, set up square, focus your mind, and get your shot in the right direction. Do it first on the range for a more effective practice session and it will feel effortless on the course.

11. Learn from your Playing Partners

While practice sessions can help improve your game, there are times when you need to watch other golfers. It’s incredibly beneficial to tee it up with better, more seasoned golfers. Many players are more willing to share their knowledge than you are to try to figure it out all on your own.

Even if they lose in a match to you, you can still learn a lot about their putting, course management and attitude.

12. Get more golf played.

Many golfers believe that they need to be perfect at every range session before they can head to the course. In reality, you should spend more time on your golf swing on the driving range and less time on the green.

Think about it, golf is the only sport where you don’t practice on the course! Basketball players practice on their court, just as football players do on the field.

But golf is different and one of the reasons it’s so hard to take your range game to the course. Have more fun with your friends on the course and you’ll learn more about club selection, playing from different lays, how your body holds and more.

13. Be a Wedge Guru

Your wedges are your best friend if you want to quickly get better at golf. You can quickly drop shots if you are confident with a gap wedge, pitching wedge, or sand wedge.

It is important to practice the short game more. Sure, it’s not as fun as bombing drives on the range, but if you can’t score from 125 yards and in, that’s even more frustrating. Your short-range scoring will improve the quicker you can hit your golf goals. 

14. Love Your Putter

Most people love their driver but don’t give two thoughts as to which putter they should use. Your putter is the most important tool in your bag.

Your score can be affected by how well you put the club on each green. Your putter should give you confidence, even if your swing is not perfect.

15. Enjoy Every Round

If you’re like most people, you’re busy with life, family, and work. Enjoy every second of this wonderful game.

You will be more successful if you approach every day of golf with gratitude and appreciation. Even if you don’t score well, a positive attitude will allow your playing partners to have a better day too. You can also learn from each practice session if you have fun.

FAQs About the Best Golf Tips

Are you interested in learning more about playing this difficult sport at a higher level of competition? If so, we have answers below…

What is your favorite golf tip?

Based on my experience, the best tip for golf is to Master your tempo. Many players rush their swings, either downhill or backwards. This can cause chaos and make it difficult to shoot consistent low scores.

Even if your swing isn’t perfect, if your tempo is a consistent 3:1 speed, you will hit the ball in the middle of the club more often than not. Who doesn’t want that experience on the course?

In contrast, the Worst tip for golf I’ve heard (and continue to hear) is, “Keep your head down.” People have been saying this for decades and it’s actually hurting your game. 

The truth is, you don’t need to keep your head down. If you keep your head down too long, you actually don’t rotate as much on the downswing and it can lead to all kinds of swing issues.

Instead, your chest should be in line with your head. To maximize power and ensure consistent hitting the ball, your head should rotate up and down on your downswing. 

How can you break 80 every single time?

Player’s who often shoot in the 70s are that much different from those in the low to mid 80s. Shooting in the 70s and eventually later becoming a scratch golferYou need to:

• Your short game is important. If you are looking to break 80 and play your best golf, work on the short shots twice as much as your long shots. For example, if you have 90 minutes to practice, spend 30 minutes putting, 30 minutes with wedges, and 30 minutes at the range. During the range session, spend a lot of time hitting different wedge shots and drivers.  Your short game is easier to hone than a full golf swing since there is less lower body movement and a shorter motion. The faster you improve with putting and wedges, the faster you will play better golf.
• Master your mindset. Golfers who regularly shoot in the 70s don’t get mad often and manage their emotions instead of letting them interfere with the round. They learn that bad shots and bad breaks are part of the game. Instead of making each bad shot an entire experience and move on.
• Have a plan for every shot. If you want toBreak 80, make sure you have a strategy for each hole. Don’t just swing and hope it finds the fairway or green. Instead, create a tee box strategy, approach shot strategyTry not to be too critical of yourself and only hit the shots you are confident in hitting. Don’t try to play hero golf!

Final Thoughts

As I’m sure you know, there are a lot of different components to playing a good round of golf. There isn’t one golf tip or one new club that will shoot your best score every time you go out.

Some days you’ll hit the driver perfectly and won’t have any iron game. Other days, you won’t find a fairway but still manage to card low scores, that’s just this crazy game of golf

Instead, it’s about constantly learning along the way. (Here are some golf books that might be helpful) Each shot is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become a better golfer. 

I’ll end with this; always enjoy your time playing golf. Hopefully, you’re with friends, family or other people who are obsessed with golf just like you. You will have lower scores if you have more fun. Don’t forget, it’s just a game.